It is a common goal shared around the National Football League to play in the Super Bowl. However, this is easier said than done. Feb. 7, another Super Bowl was put in the books as the Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10. Denver’s No. 1 ranked defense was able to sack quarterback Cam Newton seven times, contributing to their 14 point victory, making them Super Bowl 50 champions. On that evening, at 6:40 PM, the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers represented all of America as the top two teams in the National Football League.
The road to the Super Bowl is quite a long road. Preparation for the NFL regular season begins in March, where the first free agency period begins. This process is taken all the way to July, where team OTAs (organized team activities) start, followed by the preseason in August. Then, of course, the regular season starts in the month of September. So, all in all, there are about eleven months around The National Football League in which all 32 teams prepare to strive for an appearance into the Super Bowl as a team of 53 men.
These two teams were attempting to mark their legacies in that game on that Sunday evening. Both Denver and Carolina had four quarters to prove that they were the best team in the NFL. Although Denver came on top, there are many questions towards the return of Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning.
“I really think he’s fine with it. Look at him. He’s happy. He’s peaceful. I think you have to put this in some perspective. He had four neck surgeries [in 2010 and 2011]. He might never have played again. But playing again, and playing well when he came back—what a blessing,” said Archie Manning in an interview with ESPN on his son’s future.
Once Monday, Feb. 8 hit, there were many questions from this game that still lingered. For instance, many questions surround the career of Broncos Quarterback Peyton Manning being the age he is and whether or not the 39 year-old were to call it quits, considering he would go off with another Super Bowl ring. On the other side, questions are present as to whether the Carolina Panthers will be able to carry their success from this year, despite their loss to Denver, into the next season. As for Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, critics wonder if he will he be able to backup his MVP season in 2016. If Manning does retire, it will be remained to see if backup quarterback Brock Osweiler will be able to lead Denver to another Super Bowl appearance. Or, the Panthers will prove that their 2015 season run was “no fluke”.
Nonetheless, the conclusion of Super Bowl 50 puts another NFL season in the books. The process will soon begin to see which team will be in Houston around this time next year for Super Bowl LI.
